A history of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s fundraising

In an exposé published Thursday by the Washington Post, a history of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s fundraising for both their political campaigns (dating back to Bill’s run for Congress in 1974), and the charitable Clinton Foundation, is revealed.

In total, the couple has raised$3 billion over the years. This includes $2 billion for the Foundation ($150 million in speaking fees since Bill left office in January 2001); $69 million from employees and Political Action Committees (PACs) of banks, insurance companies, and investment firms; $21 million from labor unions.

Through September, $110 million has been donated to support Hillary’s 2016 run for the White House.

Adding up all donations since 1974, 336,000 individuals, corporations, unions, and foreign governments have contributed to Hillary and Bill’s various public initiatives.

“The breadth and depth of their support is a testament to the fact that they have both dedicated their lives to public service and fighting to make this country stronger.” – Josh Schwerin, Hillary Clinton spokesman.

By contrast, since 1988 the Bush family (which includes three generations) has raised $2.4 billion for state and federal campaigns, and six charitable organizations.

As for the 2016 campaign, Mrs. Clinton has raised $76.5 million (not including super PACs) through September. The second and third largest sums of all presidential candidates by comparison belong to Bernie Sanders ($41.3 million) and Ben Carson ($31.4 million).

In addition, Hillary Clinton was the first 2016 candidate to set-up a joint fundraising committee, partnering with the Democratic National Committee and 32 state committees, to allow yearly donations of up to $366,000 per individual.

“When my father died, the first person I heard from was President Clinton. They have a following of people who would do absolutely anything for them.” – Elaine Schuster, one of 2,700 donors who have given to both Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Critics of the couple’s fundraising track record point to their close relationship with Wall Street, which some believe to be at odds with the base of the Democratic party. Since 2000, Mrs. Clinton has raised $29.2 million from PACs and employees in the financial sector.

So far in the 2016 campaign Hillary has collected $6.4 million from the finance industry, third only to the communications and technology sectors.

Susie Thompkins Buell, Clinton donor and co-founder of the international fashion company Espirit, summed up Hillary’s attitude towards her financial supporters.

“She remembers everything we ever talked about . . . she’s very, very appreciative when she knows someone has done something for her. And you know it’s sincere,” said Buell.